þÿ<html> <head> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=unicodeFFFE"> <title>Program Overview</title> <meta name="Microsoft Border" content="b, default"> </head> <body style="background-attachment: fixed" background="images/ribbon.gif"><!--msnavigation--><table dir="ltr" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tr><!--msnavigation--><td valign="top"> <div align="center"> <table border="0" width="800" id="table1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" height="692"> <tr> <td colspan="3"> &nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td height="139" width="931" align="left" valign="top" colspan="3"> <p align="center"> <img border="0" src="images/mammobanner.jpg" width="845" height="155"></td> </tr> <tr> <td height="41" align="center" colspan="3"> <div> <p align="center"><b><a target="_self" href="http://ncradiation.net/"> <font color="#3333FF">Section Home</font></a><font color="#3333FF">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </font> <a target="_self" href="progoverview.htm"> <font color="#3333FF">Program Overview</font></a><font color="#3333FF">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </font> <a target="_self" href="mammcontacts.htm"><font color="#3333FF"> Mammography Contacts</font></a><font color="#3333FF">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </font> <a target="_self" href="documents/ncac.rules.pdf"> <font color="#3333FF">NC Regulations</font></a><font color="#3333FF">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </font> <a target="_self" href="http://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/MammographyQualityStandardsActandProgram/default.htm"> <font color="#3333FF">MQSA Regulations</font></a></b></div> </td> </tr> <tr> <th bordercolor="#000066" bordercolorlight="#800080" bordercolordark="#000080" colspan="3" valign="top"> <p align="center"><b> <font face="Freestyle Script" size="7" color="#000066"> Program Overview<img border="0" src="images/ribbon5.gif" width="33" height="42"></font></b></th> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3" height="600"> <p align="center">&nbsp;</p> <p align="center">Remember the beginning of HCFA inspections in the early 1990&#39;s?&nbsp; When regulations were new and inspections were unannounced and frightening?</p> <p align="center">Inspection of mammography facilities has come a long way since the implementation of the Mammography Quality Standards Act of 1992 (MQSA).&nbsp; When the FDA added a 5 day notice to facilities of their upcoming inspection and regulations became more familiar, the stress and anxiety of&nbsp; inspections was lessened somewhat.&nbsp; The goal of MQSA is to assure that mammography is safe and reliable and breast cancer is detected in its earliest stages when it is most treatable.&nbsp;Since the implementation of MQSA Regulations, image quality has improved immensely.</p> <p align="center"><br> The state of North Carolina, through a contract with the FDA, supplies inspectors to inspect North Carolina Mammography facilities to insure compliance with MQSA.&nbsp; These inspectors are trained and certified by the FDA.&nbsp; We have a staff of <a target="_self" href="mammcontacts.htm">4 inspectors.</a>&nbsp; If you have any questions regarding an inspection or the MQSA Regulations, our inspectors&nbsp; are excellent resources.<br> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#800080"><strong><big>The Final MQSA Regulations went into effect April 28, 1999.<br> </big></strong></font></p> <p align="center">A copy of the final MQSA Regulations can be found on the FDA website.&nbsp;Numerous other publications can also be found on the FDA website that offer more information regarding interpretation of the Final Regulations.&nbsp; The most valuable tool is the <a href="http://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/MammographyQualityStandardsActandProgram/Guidance/PolicyGuidanceHelpSystem/default.htm">Policy Guidance Help System</a>.&nbsp; Since April 28, 1999, our inspectors have conducted their inspections following the Final Regulations.&nbsp; These Final Regulations will further assist our state and the FDA in achieving our ultimate goal of safe mammography and early detection of breast cancer. <br> </p> <p align="center"><big><strong>NOTICE:&nbsp;</strong></big> The FDA uses their entire website to bring you key mammography news as it emerges<strong>.&nbsp; Additions to the Policy Guidance Help System is an ever changing process.&nbsp; You may sign up to receive automatic notification of updates when they are added to the website.&nbsp;&nbsp; </strong> <p align="center"><strong> <a href="http://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/MammographyQualityStandardsActandProgram/AbouttheMammographyProgram/ucm110786.htm">Click here to sign up</a> </strong>to the electronic listserv to receive e-mail alerts and highlights of the FDA website as they become available.<strong><br> &nbsp;</strong><p align="center"><strong><font size="4" color="#0000FF"> <a target="_self" href="index.htm">Mammography Home</a></font></strong><p>&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td height="122" width="275"> <a target="_self" href="http://www.ncdhhs.gov/"> <img border="0" src="images/dhhs.JPG" width="102" height="111" align="right"></a></td> <td height="122" width="290" align="center" valign="top"> <address align="center"> <font size="2">NC Radiation Protection&nbsp;&nbsp; <br> 3825 Barrett Drive&nbsp; Raleigh, NC&nbsp; 27609</font></address> <address align="center"> <font size="2">Phone:&nbsp; (919)571-4141&nbsp;&nbsp; Fax:&nbsp; (919)571-4148</font></address> <p>&nbsp;</td> <td height="122" width="252" valign="top"> <a target="_self" href="http://ncradiation.net/"> <img border="0" src="images/radprotlogo.jpg" width="108" height="107"></a></td> </tr> </table> </div> <!--msnavigation--></td></tr><!--msnavigation--></table><!--msnavigation--><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tr><td> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </td></tr><!--msnavigation--></table></body> </html>